Process for manufacturing films or threads of cellulose.



Unrrnn siia r-ns PATENT @FFTQE.

MAX FREMERY, OF OBERBRUCH, AND EMIL BRONNERT, OF MULHAUSEN-NIEDERMORSCHVEILER, GERMANY. AND JOHANN URBAN, OF ST.

POLTEN, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

N0. 80&.191.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. '7, 1905.

Application filed May 8, 1905. Serial No. 25 9,478.

To a, 11/71/0771 it may concern: I

Be it known that we, MAX FREMERY, residing at Oberbruch, Province of theRhine, and EMIL BRONNERT, residing at Mulhausen- Niedermorschweiler,Alsace, in the German Empire, both subjects of the German Emperor, andJOHANN URBAN, a subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, residing atSt. Polten, in the Empire of Austria-Hungary, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Processes for Manufacturing Films or Threadsof Cellulose, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

It has been proposed by us to manufacture forms of cellulose containingcopper by treating ammoniacal cupriferous solutions of cellulose with analkali, for such forms are in high degree waterproof in comparison withthe forms of cellulose free from copper, which are obtained when similarcellulose solutions are treated with an acid or by preferably weakcaustic soda and washing with an acid for removing all the copper.

If the cupriferous forms of cellulose are treated directly after theircoagulation or precipitation with acids or bases for the purpose ofseparating the copper, their valuable properties are lost and theyassume the propertiies of cellulose forms coagulated by an aci By thisinvention cupriferous forms of cellulose-such as threads, films, or thelike are made by injecting in the known manner solutions of cellulose inammoniacal cupriferous solutions into strong caustic-alkali solution andafterward immersing the forms thus produced for some time, such as forhalf an hour or one hour or longer, ina cold strong solution of causticalkalifor instance, a solution containing not less than twenty per cent.of caustic soda. This solution may be that into which the cellulosesolution was injected in order to produce the form, in which case itwill contain a little ammonia. The ammonia is advantageous provided itdoes not exceed about six per cent. of the solution when it begins todissolve the surface of the cellulose form, and thus to roughen it. Itis better, however, to use a fresh solution of caustic soda and to applyit with aid of centrifugal action.

For example, the cellulose thread or other form to be treated is placedin the perforated drum of a centrifugal apparatus and the strongsolution of caustic soda, advantageously containing less than six percent. of

ammonia, is supplied through the hollow axle under pressure while theapparatus is at work. After a short time the caustic soda is displacedby water, also passed under pres sure through the hollow axle. In thismanner the cellulose form becomes more transparent, clearer, stronger,and more elastic. These enhanced properties are retained if after thealkali treatment the form is treated by acid or another suitable solventto extract the whole or a part of its copper. The duration'of theimmersion in or the centrifugal treatment with the alkali is determinedby the thickness of the form, as the thicker it is the longer it resistspenetration by the alkali.

The process is particularly applicable for making thick, highly-elastic,transparent, and unusually-strong threads and films, such as artificialhorsehair, which has not hitherto been made in a single operation,embroidery-threads, and photographic films. The. threads aftercarbonization serve as electric light filaments and the carbonized filmsfor telephonic purposes. To avoid deformation, the forms made accordingto this invention must be dried under tension, but at the ordinarytemperature.

Having thus described the nature of our said invention and the bestmeans we know of carrying the same into practical effect, we claim 1. Aprocess for the manufacture of threads or films of cellulose consistingin first treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solution of cellulose with astrong solution of alkali, and then immersing the separated solidproduct thus obtained in caustic alkali.

2. A process for the manufacture of threads or films of celluloseconsisting in first treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solution ofcellulose with a strong solution of alkali, and then immersing theseparated solid product thus obtained in ammoniacal caustic alkali.

3. A process for the manufacture of threads or films of celluloseconsisting in first treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solution ofcellulose with a strong solution of an alkali and then immersing theseparated solid product thus obtained in a cold solution of caustic sodaof not less than twenty per cent. strength.

4. A process for the manufacture of threads or films of celluloseconsisting in first treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solution ofcellulose with a strong solution of an alkali and then immersing theseparated solid product thus obtained in a cold solution of caustic sodaof not less than twenty-percent. strength and containing not more thansiX per cent. of ammonia.

5. A process for the manufacture of threads or films of celluloseconsisting in first treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solution ofcellulose with a strong solution of alkali and th en immersing theseparated solid product thus obtained in caustic alkali, and finallywashing the solid product and drying it under ten- SlOIl.

6. A process for the manufacture of threads or films of cellulose,consisting in first treating an ammoniacal cupriferous solution ofcellulose with a strong solution of an alkali and then immersing theseparated solid product thus obtained in a cold solution of caustic sodaof not less than twenty-per-cent.

strength and containing not more than six per cent. of ammonia andfinally washing the solid product and drying it under tension.

7.'A process for the manufacture of threads or films of celluloseconsisting in first treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solution ofcellulose with a strong solution of an alkali and then treating thesolid product thus obtained with caustic alkali under centrifugalaction. 8. A process for the manufacture of threads or films ofcellulose consisting in first treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solutionof cellulose with a strong solution of an alkali and then treating thesolid product thus obtained with caustic alkali under centrifugal actionand finally washing the solid product and drying it under tension.

9. A process for the manufacture of threads or films of celluloseconsisting in first treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solution ofcellulose with a strong solution of an alkali and then treating thesolid product thus obtained with ammoniacal caustic alkali undercentrifugal action. 10. Aprocess for the manufacture of threads or filmsof cellulose consisting in first treating a cupriferous ammoniacalsolution of cellu lose with a strong solution of an alkali then treatingthe solid product-thus obtained with ammoniacal caustic alkali undercentrifugal action, and finally washing the solid product and drying itunder tension.

11. Asa new article of manufacture transparent films or thick threads ofcellulose made by treating a cupriferous ammoniacal solution ofcellulose with a strong solution of alkali, immersing the separatedsolid product thus obtained in caustic alkali, and finally washing thesolid product and drying it under tension.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of the subscribing witnesses.

MAX FREMERY. EMIL BRONNERT. JOHANN URBAN.

Witnesses to the signature of Max Fremery:

HENRY QUADFLIEG, GERARD OELLERS. Witnesses to the signature of EmilBronnert:

ALBERT GRAETER, GEO. GIFFORD. y b Witnesses to the signature of JohannUr- ALvEsTo S. HOGUE, AUeUsT FUGGER.

